PROUD Chasetown fans saluted their heroes after the minnows' fairytale FA Cup run finally came to an end.

PROUD Chasetown fans saluted their heroes after the minnows' fairytale FA Cup run finally came to an end.

The Scholars succumbed to Championship side Cardiff City - a club six divisions and 134 places above them in the league - 3-1 in the Third Round of the famous competition.

But the British Gas Business League Midland Division side did themselves justice and even shocked their more illustrious opponents by leading for much of the first half.

Burntwood, Staffordshire, was transformed into a hive of blue and white activity before Saturday's 1pm kick off.

Houses, shops, pubs and businesses were bitten by the FA Cup bug as they proudly displayed banners, balloons and good luck messages to Charlie Blakemore's part-timers.

In The Crown pub, High Street, cries of "come on Chasetown!" were bellowed out as the Scholars made an impressive start to the game.

Then the big moment arrived in the 17th minute. Chasetown launched an attack and a dangerous cross was sent over into the Cardiff box.

Radio transmission was cut for a few seconds, leaving all the supporters looking around wondering what had happened.

When it returned, the commentators were already screaming wildly and it was apparent that David was leading Goliath. There were only around 15 people in the bar but the roar could probably have been heard in the stunned Welsh capital.

The lead lasted until half time when the devastating equaliser, scored by former Villa man Peter Whittingham, came.

There was an air of inevitability and acceptance about the team's fate in the second half, but the supporters remained defiant and proud till the end.

Ray Fisher, aged 40, said: "This has been a dream and Charlie Blakemore deserves a medal for what he has achieved.

"I have been to almost every game and I shall be here again next week."

John Hobkins, aged 52, said: "We played really well and their efforts have been really superb.

"It is a day that people here will remember for a long, long time as for a club that size to make it this far is phenomenal."

And Ann Sedgwick, aged 49, said: "It has been brilliant and it has been a great occasion for the whole community." n Police have praised Chase-town football fans for making their big FA Cup tie with Cardiff a real "family occasion" and said match passed without incident.